Rick lives in Yorkshire with his wife and three children and in 2009 left the corporate world of Telecoms’ (BT & O2) to focus full time on his passion for the outdoors through volunteering and freelance working.

Having over 30 year’s outdoor experience as a keen walker, backpacker, wild camper, climber, fell runner, cyclist, Skier, Kayaker, sailor and caver, Rick also has Mountain Leader, Outdoor First Aid and Duke of Edinburgh Gold level Assessor qualifications. These have allowed him to take groups out on the hills and help them to discover for themselves, the fantastic sights and experiences he has been so fortunate to have himself.

Rick works regularly as an unpaid volunteer for Scouts & Cubs to assist with outdoor training and trips as he had a wonderful time in these organisations when younger. In the past Rick has worked on other youth projects such as ‘Enjoy-a-Ball’, a Sports coaching programme for children aged 3-9 and ‘Weston Spirit Mentoring’, a Secondary school scheme providing young people with the training and skills to become mentors, supporting younger pupils in their own school.

Having worked for several seasons as an expedition leader, Rick is experienced at delivering Duke of Edinburgh training to all age groups. He has experience of working with children and adults on the Award in Business (AIB) scheme in the classroom and on the hill.

Close proximity to the Settle-Carlisle line means that many of Rick’s outdoor trips are to the Yorkshire Dales but he also loves the North York Moors, Lake District, Peak District and Scotland. Particular favourites are the Isles of Skye, Raasay, Rum and Arran but he has a desire to see more Islands, wild places and National Parks. Regular trips abroad to Europe and several of the Caribbean Islands gave Rick a taste for foreign places and he has explored extensively, but loves the UK and feels there is a lot to be discovered on home shores, except when paragliding as the weather is more predictable and conducive to flying in Cyprus than Yorkshire!

Membership of the Mountain Bothies Association and the Backpackers Club has allowed Rick to explore and stay at some wonderful and far flung locations in UK wilderness areas but he also loves live music and real ale, so is regularly drawn back to civilisation to partake of these social activities.

Wildlife, photography, geology and natural history are all amateur interests held by Rick which help to keep the conversation interesting and informative on long walks and encourage discussions and opportunities for him to learn more about the diversity of the great outdoors.